--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a good principle in science not to…" description: "\"It is a good principle in science not to believe any 'fact'---however well attested---until it fits into some accepted frame of reference. Occasionally..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/arthur-c-clarke-640_accepted_it-is-a-good-principle-in-science-not-to_2390882.jpg" --- # It is a good principle in science not to believe any… ![“It is a good principle in science not to believe any 'fact'---however well attested---until it fits into some accepted frame of reference. Occasionally, of course, an observation can shatter the frame and force the construction of a new one, but that is extremely rare. Galileos and Einsteins…” quote by Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/arthur-c-clarke-640_accepted_it-is-a-good-principle-in-science-not-to_2390882.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/arthur-c-clarke-640_accepted_it-is-a-good-principle-in-science-not-to_2390882.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/arthur-c-clarke-640_accepted_it-is-a-good-principle-in-science-not-to_2390882.jpg) > “It is a good principle in science not to believe any 'fact'---however well attested---until it fits into some accepted frame of reference. Occasionally, of course, an observation can shatter the frame and force the construction of a new one, but that is extremely rare. Galileos and Einsteins seldom appear more than once per century, which is just as well for the equanimity of mankind.” [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science should hold facts tentatively, fitting them into existing theories only until evidence demands a new framework. **In simple terms:** Science is provisional, not absolute. Key Takeaway Question assumptions before accepting facts. Themes science philosophy methodology skepticism Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - research labs - academic debate - policy making - education - media reporting Key Concepts falsifiability paradigm shift empiricism Questions to Reflect On - When have you revised a belief? - What evidence would change your view? A Different Perspective Rare paradigm shifts can stall progress if ignored. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Construction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/construction/) [Equanimity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equanimity/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [It is easier to believe a lie that one has heard a thousand times than to believe a fact that no one has heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-milne-3/it-is-easier-to-believe-a-lie-that-one-has-heard-a-thousand-times-2/) [A A Milne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-milne-3/) > [If a fact does not modify your logic on being known, either you don't believe the fact or it is not a fact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/if-a-fact-does-not-modify-your-logic-on-being-known-either-you-don-t/) [Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/) > [“It is easier to believe a lie one has heard a thousand times than to believe a fact one has never heard before.”                                                                                                                                              …](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shank/it-is-easier-to-believe-a-lie-one-has-heard-a-thousand-times-than-to/) [Michael Shank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shank/) > [It is the spirit of the age to believe that any fact, no matter how suspect, is superior to any imaginative exercise, no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/it-is-the-spirit-of-the-age-to-believe-that-any-fact-no-matter-how/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [“ 'The fact is,' I said, 'that you're unable, or unwilling, to believe in the fact that I believe in you.' ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/the-fact-is-i-said-that-you-re-unable-or-unwilling-to-believe-in-the/) [Ursula K. 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